Stevenage

Stevenage's population grew in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in religion, housing tenure and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 84,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Stevenage increased by 5.3%, from just over 79,700 to 84,000.

The addition of about 4,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Stevenage was home to, on average, 23 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Stevenage

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Stevenage increased by two years, from 35 to 37 years.

This suburban area had a lower average age than Eastof England and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 2,300 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 3,000.

About 16% of people in Stevenage are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Stevenage by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes with adult children living with their parents

This area saw Eastof England's largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

Across the region, Rochford saw the next largest increase in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents (from 11% in 2001 to 12% in 2011).

During this period, Stevenage went from having the 32nd-highest to the twelfth-highest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just over 1 in 10 (10%) households in Stevenage had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 8.8% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 33% to 32%.

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in considerably limiting disability

The percentage of Stevenage residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 2.7% to 3.8% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The proportion who reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities remained close to 6.1%, while the percentage of Stevenage residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 91% to 90%.

The proportion of people who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 2.7% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a lot by a long-term health problem or disability in Stevenage increased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Stevenage, Eastof England and England that reported being considerably limited in their day-to-day activities, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Stevenage

The number of people in Stevenage that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 17,000 in 2001 to just under 29,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 22% to 34% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Stevenage that described themselves as Christian decreased from just over 53,000 in 2001 to just under 46,000 in 2011 (from 67% to 54%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 6,500 to just over 5,600 (from 8.2% to 6.7%).

About 1,700 people (1.1%) said they were Muslim, up from about 870 in 2001 (2.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Stevenage increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Stevenage by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Stevenage that rented privately increased from 4.7% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households lived in social housing, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage of Stevenage households that owner their home decreased from 63% to 58%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 8.6% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Stevenage increased by 6.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Stevenage, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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